Get Ready to Count Some Birds!

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February is just around the corner, and it’s time for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), held annually in mid-February. This year, it’s February 13 to February 16!

Take a look at this image from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website:

gbbc-2014 (2)

This map depicts how many people sent in reports in 2014, from the United States and around the world. This year, even more will participate. Why not be one of the newbies? Or one of the oldies, if you’ve done this before.

Here are the answers to a few questions you might have about the Great Backyard Bird Count.

1. Why do we do the Great Backyard Bird Count?

According to the website: “Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, participants turned in more than 144,000 online checklists, creating the world’s largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded.”

Those 144,000 checklists identified 4,296 species and 17, 748, 756 individual birds!

2. How long has the count been going on?

This year is the 18th annual GBBC. Please visit the official website at www.birdcount.org for more information and be sure to check out the latest educational and promotional resources.

3. What have scientists learned from the count?

Again according to the website: “Bird populations are always shifting and changing. For example, 2014 GBBC data highlighted a large irruption of Snowy Owls across the northeastern, mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes areas of the United States. The data also showed the effects that the polar vortex had on bird movement around the country. For more on the results of the 2014 GBBC, take a look at the Halftime Report, and be sure to check out some of the images in the 2014 GBBC Photo Contest Gallery.”

4. What do I have to do to participate?

  • First, register on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website. You can also download educational materials here.
  • Then, observe and count birds in your back yard, in a park, or wherever you like, for at least 15 minutes on any day of the count. You can do this for much longer if you like, or on all four days, or on multiple times in one day, or at multiple locations, but only one 15-minute session is required.
  • Estimate the number of each type of bird that you see.
  • Finally, upload your report. You will need to upload a separate report for each period of counting or each place that you do.

5. Is it good for kids and families?

Absolutely! Even little kids like to look for birds, and older ones enjoy both counting and turning in the report. This is a great way for families to spend time outdoors together.  In fact, it’s good for people of all ages!

6. What does it cost?

Zilch. All you have to do is get out there, count what you see, and turn in a report.

7. Who sponsors the GBBC?

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a joint partnership between Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with Bird Studies Canada as its official Canadian partner.

Get Started Today!

Are you ready? If so, register today to participate in the 2015 Great Backyard Bird Count. Have fun and do something useful for scientists at the same time.

Plus, depending on your location, you just might see some of these:

Cardinal at Bird Feederbaltimore-oriole-300x200Red winged blackbird

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